Full Time Too Much With Ptsd. What Benefits Available? Uk

[Maggiemay]

I've recently gone back to work on a phased return after 4 months off with severe anxiety caused by complex PTSD and BPD.

I've had lots of issues at work this week including best 'mate'*cough cough* and head turning on me. I'm left wondering if I should just call it quits or go down to part time and loose the money.

Problem is I live on my own if I gave up work went part time I wouldn't be able to afford to live unless moved back home which isn't ideal (I'm 28).

So, anyone working part time (I'm a teacher) & receiving additional benefits? If so, what am I entitled to? I used to get DLA for BPD going back 7 yrs when was in therapy before but I cancelled it thinking I was ok, even though they advised me to reapply. I'm worse physically now and have more official diagnosis under my belt now.

I'm just getting desperate. I'm ready to just throw in the towel and walk away from work, despite spending the last 6 long years training to teach. Maybe I'm just not cut out to do it... maybe I need to rethink my options...

 

[Meadowsweet]

Teaching can be a stressful job, but it is a highly respected skill that is looked well upon in other jobs that involve working with people. So it might be that you could use your qualifications to do other work. A careers advice service might be able to help with that.

If you decide to go part time, you may be able to claim working tax credit. If you are not disabled, you have to work 30 hours or more per week and have earnings under a certain amount.

If you are registered as disabled, you have to work 16 hours or more per week, and be earning under a certain amount.

The citizens advice bureau is very helpful with this kind of thing.

 

[Hashi]

I just want to echo what Meadowsweet said. Rather than reduced hours teaching, would you consider doing some other kind of work for a while? Teaching can be very tough at the best of times.

Regarding benefits, you really need to get specialist advice based on your specific situation, and like Meadowsweet I'd suggest contacting Citizens Advice. I'd also talk to your doctor and/or therapist (if applicable) because they might be able to add some knowledge of situations like yours.

I don't know the nature of your trauma, but it might be worth contacting a support organisation to see if they could give any advice/advocacy too (for example, Combat Stress for military trauma, Rape Crisis for sexual assault).

 

[Maggiemay]

Thaks guys, I appreciate it.

I desperately need to make an appointment with CAB.

Been back a week and on yhe whole it's been very positive ' am organised and on top of things, and enjoying having purpose back. Just hoping I can keep it up.

Xxx

 

[cherryblossom]

I desperately need to make an appointment with CAB.

Please explain what CAB stands for, I don't understand. Please be aware of [DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/use-of-text-speak-and-abbreviations-when-posting.30234/#post-484955[/DLMURL]

 

[Maggiemay]

Citizen's Advice Bureau... I'm sorry, I was responding to comments talking about it , which you can see if you read previous posts, but urgh, am in trouble *again*. Seriously, no matter what I do here it's wrong....

 

[cherryblossom]

but urgh, am in trouble *again*. Seriously, no matter what I do here it's wrong....

You're not in trouble, I just didn't understand, that's all.

 

[Abstract]

If you have interpersonal issues from the borderline personality disorder then I imagine a person focused job such as teaching is going to be more stressful. I agree with meadowsweet and Hashi. It might be possible to limit the things you find more filled with stressors and so help your general levels of anxiety. I have done that fairly successfully.

 

[ptsdhelpandawareness]

I can't make a conclusive comment on this but I can relate it to a similar incident involving a friend who was a teacher, who due to a breakdown had to stop teaching. If you can't work at the moment you shouldn't. You need to think of your own health. If you are off sick your doctor will be able to say if you realistically can work again as a teacher. I wouldn't make any hasty issues about stopping teaching because you may be entitled to a pension. You could then look for suitable part time work knowing you are supported by your pension. Also you need to go to get the benefits you are entitled to.

 

[Maggiemay]

Thanx guys :)

Sorry Cherry blossom, I seem to be forever getting told off for doing something wrong when I post. For someone who teaches English to 9,10 &11 you'll think my grammar would be good, but according to this site it's apparently appalling! :s

Abstract - I'm fine with my interactions with children, but really struggle with staff. *groan* Ended up having argument with colleague the other day in sraff meeting which wasn't good. I was trying to be constructive but it was misinterpreted and she got defensive, so patronised me which triggered me big time! :(

Ptsdhelpandawareness - I've been back full time for 5 weeks. It's knackering but I'm a lot more successful than I expected considering I had 6 months off. My observation with headteacher went well on Tuesday and I have performance management tomorrow. I've got a whole list of things to discuss, and he has already hinted he wants to discuss my perfectionism & doing too much in lots of ways

I still need to chase benefits, but q part of me feels I'm not entitled. But, I'm still very unwell and there's a strong likelihood I'm going to have to give up therapy as making me more unwell, which means I'm going to be left unsupported which I'm very worried about.

 

[Cufflinks]

Citizens Advice is brilliant at knowing who to contact and where to get help. They may even help you fill out the forms.

Don't feel that you're not entitled. You might be surprised at how much help you are entitled to. The best way to contact Citizens Advice is to drop in to see them. Don't try and get an appointment over the phone. It's a nightmare. Once you're there they'll be more than happy to help.

 

[Maggiemay]

Thank you ;) I've got a week off from 18th February, will try abd go then :) I'm realising this is a significant illness and one that I will suffer from for quite some time and definitely impacts hugely on my life :( xxx